Liquid-control mechanism



Nov. 26, 1929. R. M. PARSONS 1,737,171

LIQUID CONTROL MECHANISM 'Filed March 2, 1928 @wuentoz Patented Nov. 26, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RALPH MONROE PARSONS, OF AMAGANSETT, NEW YORK, A SSIGNOR TO WILLIAM G. LEAMON, OF NEW YORK, N, Y.

LIQUID-CONTROL MECHANISM.

This invention relates to liquid control mechanism; and it relates more particularly to valve mechanism which is useful in controlling the flow of liquid through a conduit into or from a tank or other container, the

1 connection with a practical embodiment thereof, and will then be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Mechanism constructed in accordance with this invention is, by reason of its novel characteristics and construction, especially adapted for use with liquids, for example, oils, at high temperatures, though it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any particular conditions of use or manner of racticing the same.

n object of the invention is to provide mechanism of this character adapted to operate with what may betermed a throttling action, that is, the operation is such that the opening or closing of the valve bears a definite relation to the level of the liquid, so

that if the level changes only a little, the valve v will be opened or closed only a little; wherec as, if a great change in level occurs, the valve will immediately be fully opened or closed, depending upon the circumstances under which the mechanism is being used, in order to re-establish the former level as quickly as possible. Another object is to provide mechanism of this character in which the parts are so arranged and constructed as to reduce the tendency of solid matter," entrained in the liquid under control, to cause improper operatlon. A further object is to provide mechanism which will operate in a' satisfactory manner with liquids at extremely high temperatures. Astill further object is to provide mechanism of this type such that its parts are completely enclosed and, therefore, re

moved from danger of injury by workmen or 7 others, but which parts are none the less readily accessible for repairs, or the like.

Generally described, the invention coinprises an arrangement by means of which flow of liquid into or from a containeris automatically controlled by means of a valve mem.- ber interposed in the pipe or conduit through which liquid enters or leaves the container, there being a float member within the container connected with'said valve mechanism by a float arm extending into said conduit and rigidly joined to said valve member in such manner that the valve member is actuated by the rise or fall of the liquid level in the container to govern the liquid flow in the conduit accordingly. Most desirably, means are also provided for positively maintaining a and its seat in order to compensate for expan sion of the parts when the same are in contact with liquids at high temperatures.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, a specific embodiment of the same is shown in the accompanying drawings, but it is to be understood that such show-' ing is merely illustrative and not by way of limitation, and that such changes of construction and arrangement of parts as fall fairly within the appended claims, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig; 1 is a longitudinal cross section of the valve mecahnism with the float omitted;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on the line 3.3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a detail showing the manner in which the valve is assembled witha tank;

Fig. 5 is a detail, at 90 to Big. 4, showing sight clearance between thevalve member,

the manner in which the float and arm are .through which liquid flows into or out of said tank. The particular portion of the conduit here shown comprises a valve casing, dividedin this instance into portions 3 and 3, interposed in said conduit and containing valve 1 mechanism adapted to regulate the flow of liquid through the conduit. Desirably, and

in this particular instance, the casing 3, 3 is located closely adjacent tank 1. Portions 3 and 3 of the casing are provided respectively with flanges 4 and 4 abutting one another and suitably secured together.

Valve mechanism contained in casing 3, 3 comprises a valve member 5 of the rotary plug type and a seat 6 therefor, the seat 6 being integrally a part of portion 3 of the casing, and extending, in this instance, into portion 3. Valve member 5 and seat 6 are ported at 5 and 6 respectively. Shank 7 rigid with valve member 5, has one end of float arm 8 rigidly connected thereto by nut 8, and float arm 8 extends longitudinally through an open end of the conduit into tank 1 and carries float 8 on its other end. The float 8 moves up or down, as the level of the liquid in tank 1 changes, and this movement is transmitted, through arm 8, to cause valve member 5 to rotate upon its seat 6. Ports 5 are thereby brought into or out of register with ports 6 and the flow of liquid in the conduit, to or from tank 1, is correspondingly controlled. Ports 5 are shown fully in register with port-s 6 in Fig. 3.

It will be seen that the extent to which ports 5 are in or out of register'with ports 6' corresponds directly to the position of float 8 and hence to the level of the liqiud in tank 1, and that the throttling action hereinabove referred to, is thus achieved. Ports 5 may be provided with relatively sharp cutting edges, for the purpose of removing any solid matter which may be deposited around ports 6. It will also be seen that the absence of linkage or exposed parts greatly diminishes the possibility of injury to the mechanism orimproper operation thereof.

Especially in cases where the valve mechanism is to be used with liquids at high temperatures, means are most desirably also provided for positively maintaining a slight clearance between the valve member and its seat, in order to compensate for expansion, and one type of such means, within the invention, will now be described.

Stem 9, rigid with valve member 5, passes' through the end of easing 3* and has a transverse groove 11, with which cooperates plate 10. Plate 10 is secured between nuts 12 on studs 13, which are mounted in the end of casing 3. A packing gland 14;, is also provided to retain packing in recess 15 around stem 9, and, in the embodiment here shown, packing gland 14 is retained in position by nuts 16, also carried on studs 13. It will be seen that, by adjustment of nuts 12, plate 10 may be caused to co-act with groove 11 in such manner as positively to hold valve member 5 at a slight distance from its seat 6. The valve member may be adjusted by these means. to take up wear. 1 p I If desired, a pointer (not shown) may be mounted on the end of stem 9 to indicate the levelof liquid in the tank. Stem 9 may also some convenient point in the conduit orpipe in order to be able to completely stop flow of liquid therethrough when desired.

In order to facilitate repairs, casing 3 is extended at 16 and provided with removable cap 16", thus making nut 8 accessible to be unscrewed from arm 8, which may then be driven out of shank 7. Upon removal of the fastening means from flanges 4 and 4, the casing 3 with valve member 5 and its seat 6, may be removed from the rest of the structure.

What is claimed is:

1. Liquid control mechanism comprising, in combination, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid may flow to or from said container, a valve member and a seat therefor located in said conduit, a float in said liquid container, and a float arm passing longitudinally through an end of said conduit and connecting said float to said valve member to actuate the same, said arm being rigidly secured to said valve member.

2. Liquid control mechanism comprising, in combination, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid may flow into or out of said container, a casing interposed in said conduit, a valve member disposed in said casing, a float in said container, and a float 'arm extending longitudinally through an end of said conduit into said container and connecting said float to said valve member to actuate the same, said float arm being rigidly secured to said valve member.

3. Liquid control mechanism comprising,

in combination, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid may flow into or out of said container, a casing interposed in said conduit, a valve of the rotating plug type and a seat therefor in said casing, an actuating arm rigidly secured to such rotating plug and extending longitudinally through an end of said conduit into said container, and a float in said container fastened to said arm.

4. Liquid control mechanism comprising, in combination, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquid may flow into or out of said container, a casing interposed in said conduit, a rotary ported plug valve and .a ported seat therefor disposed in said casing, a float in saidcontainer, an actuating arm extending longitudinally through an end of said conduit and connecting'said float with said plug valve, said am being rigidly secured to said plug valve, and means adapted to positively maintain a slight clearance between said plug valve and said seat.

5. Liquid control mechanism comprising,

in comblnation, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquld may flow into or out of said container, a casing interposed in said conduit,'said casing comprising a plurality of parts removably secured together, a rotary\ ported valve member of the plug type and a ported seat therefor disposed in one part of said casing, a float arm rigidly secured to said valve member and extendin longitudina'lly through an end of said con uit into said container, and a float in said container attached to said float arm, said float arm providing an actuating connection between said float and said valve member.

6. Li uid control mechanism comprising in combination, a liquid container, a conduit through which liquld may flow into or out of said container, a casing interposed in said conduit, said casing comprising two parts removably secured together, a portion of one of said parts being formed into a ported valve seat and projectin into the other, a ported valve member of t e rotary plug type cooperating with said valve seat, a float arm rigidly secured to said valve member and extending longitudinally through an end of said conduit into said container, and a float in said container attached to said float arm, said float arm providing an actuating connection between said float and said valve member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

RALPH MONROE PARSONS. 

